CHAPTER 9

Gloria’s head started to slightly spin as she downed the last of the gin but it had the right effect and the mirror over the fireplace had done its job. Her hair was now roughly back where it should be and the worst of the mascara runs had been wiped away. 

“How could they do it, Jimmy? How could someone break into my safe?” 

“Burglars, my dear. They are good at what they do… Shall I call the police?” 

Gloria stared out of the bay window. A frown creased her eyes. She had her lips pursed. Jimmy asked again which snapped her back to the sofa. “What… No, Jimmy. They can’t be involved.”

   Jimmy was rubbing his moustache wondering why that would be. There can be only one reason and that had to be most of the cash in the safe was not altogether kosher. She has been up to something and for a long time it would seem. I’ll be patient though, maybe I can tease it out of her gently. 

Gloria returned to stare out of the window maintaining the frown. Almost absentmindedly she said, “Bit of a coincidence though, Jimmy, those two beezers being here at the same time my money goes walkabout. That one. That Tolly Parkin he had the look. Did you hear him speak? No posh voice there. A Londoner for sure and I’d bet good money he’s a proper villain. He could’ve done it. He was up to something I’m certain of that. His sort with a beezer… I don’t think so.” 

“What about the combination though,” said Jimmy. 

“Burglars can crack a code if they know how, can’t they? For a professional it would be simple.” 

“Not so simple, my dear. I’m sure it would take a good deal of time. Bit risky don’t you think? Taking a lot of time with all these clackers in the place who could wake up and wander at any moment.” 

Gloria's gaze returned to the window. Jimmy continued to rub his moustache. 

“What about the other one,” said Gloria, “Dexter Carmichael. He’s too good to be true for sure. Not a salesman or a knocker. Thinks he’s posh. Dresses posh. Has a nice sounding voice. Bit of an alluring purr to it. A proper smooth talker for sure. Got me fooled a bit. What was he doing here?” 

“Work maybe.” 

“He doesn’t work. Too dressed up. Too flash. There's just too much there to be true. I’ve got him tabbed. He just turned up. Breezed in, smart as you like, early evening after dinner and smooth talked himself into Dee’s room.” 

“I saw Dee talking to him after breakfast,” said Jimmy, “Unless I’m mistaken they looked quite intimate. There was just a little touch on his arm. You know the sort. A giveaway if you’re looking and are sensitive to the signs.” 

“Are you sensitive, Jimmy?” 

“Got to be, haven’t I, my sweet? After all, in my line of work I need to be. Yes, they had all the signs of intimacy, for sure.” 

“That’s interesting. She’s been sneaking out after work as well. A couple of times she’s even been out all night.” 

“Dexter Carmichael then. Is he the villain? With Dee in tow maybe.” 

“Possibly.” 

“Would Dee steal the money though?” 

Gloria thought about that, Would she? She hates me enough that's a certainty and with good reason. But there again I’ve never cared about her, have I. She was an annoyance as a child and her father… he was so weak. She loved him though. She’ll never forgive me for him, that's for sure. So she said, “Do you know, I think she would and also I think she would find Dexter Carmichael an extremely attractive proposition.” 

“But how would she do it? Does she know the combination?” 

“I don’t know how but I shall find out. The combination though. That’s the mystery. She might know where the cupboard door keys are but not the combination… How would she have got hold of that?... Mmm, Dexter and Dee, that has a nice ring to it. She’s going to the wholesalers this morning. When she gets back I’ll wring it out of her even if I have to beat her to do it… Now, things have to go on. What about our other business?” 

Jimmy remained quiet rubbing his finger and thumb through his moustache. Glancing at him Gloria saw the signs and sighed, “Oh, come on, Jimmy, spit it out. I’ve known you for nearly fifteen years and know when you’re about to go into a thoughtful sulk.” 

“It’s just the money…” 

“What about the money?” 

“That’s just it, isn’t it? What about the money? I’ve always invested your profits but there appears to be a large sum of cash unaccounted for.” 

“What’s that got to do with you?” Gloria grated. 

“Nothing, I suppose. It’s just disappointing that you’ve not told me about it. You said all the money had been stolen and not just the takings. What does that mean?” 

Gloria let out a long sighing breath.  I don’t want to tell him it’s my rainy-day money. It’s nothing to do with him. We all need that, don’t we?... Oh, what the hell, he’ll only keep on about it. So she said, “I suppose I should tell you. I haven’t told you before because… well… because it’s not completely legal and I thought you’d disapprove.”  

She paused, leaving Jimmy in a state of anticipation, “Now it’s my turn,” he said, maybe rather too sharply, “Get on with it. You’ve gone this far. Let’s have the rest.” 

There was no other way to do it. She took a deep breath and suddenly blurted out, “It’s the takings. I skim off some of the takings. There, now you have it and you can say what you want.” 

“How do you do that? You’ve always shown me the accounts and I’ve not noticed any problem.” 

“You wouldn’t, would you? That’s why it’s skimming. The whole idea is that it’s not noticed. Who’d skim some of the cream and leave records for all to see.” 

“And you don’t? I can’t believe that. All your cash is noted down to the last farthing.” 

“Of course I do but in code in the little black book tucked away out of sight. If anyone looked all they’d see would be a pile of figures with no meaning.” 

“How long has this been going on?” 

“Oh, I don’t know. Longer than I’ve known you, that's for certain.” 

“So how’s it done?” 

“Easy. The invoices are numbered manually. It’s always been like that. If a guest wants a receipt with the hotel address I stamp it on and fill in the next invoice number so they’re consecutive. If they don’t… well, you know, no stamp, no record and the cash goes on the skimmings pile.” 

“How much is involved?” 

“That varies of course. Some days nothing, others it could be over half.” 

“And no one has spotted this.” 

“Why should they? How does anyone know how many people stay here? That’s the beauty of it. We’re always full, aren’t we? Think about it. What’s the average occupancy rate for any hotel or boarding house on the south coast?” 

“Oh, I don’t know. Half. Maybe three quarters.” 

“Half is near the mark and that’s exactly what I mean; my accounts reflect the industry norm.” 

“Doesn’t your accountant ask questions? Why haven’t they noticed?” 

“Don’t be so dumb, Jimmy. For the same reason. Why should they? Do they come here and check? No, is the answer to that. The accounts are a meticulous record. I even note the names and addresses of each stamped guest, how long they’ve stayed and what they’ve paid. It’s watertight. Besides, you haven’t noticed, have you? And you’re supposed to be super sharp.” 

“No, you’re right there. Today is the first time. I’ve never suspected a thing before.” 

“There you go… Watertight.” 

“So, that’s why no police?” 

“You’re being dumb again, Jimmy. Of course it is. I’d have to explain, wouldn’t I?” 

“But why do it at all? Now you think about it. I invest your money and you know how much I make for you. I show you the records, don’t I. Each month so you know I’m not fleecing you. Sure I take a fee but you accept that and know how much it is. Over the years I’ve what, quadrupled your wealth? Yes, at least quadrupled it. You’ve had all that cash in the safe for how long? You said over the fifteen years I’ve known you so at least that long. Sitting there doing nothing just waiting to be stolen. It’s missed out on all that increase. Why do it?” 

“Why’d you think? Greed, Jimmy. I feel I’m making a little victory and as far as I’m concerned it’s mine. Just a little bit of extra security in case everything goes bad. There was enough there to set me up for my retirement. Quite a few thousands. Certainly, enough for more than a few rainy days.” 

“But it’s made no gain.” 

“There you go. I knew you’d disapprove. You don't understand, do you. I don’t care about that. I need the feeling of that extra security… I don’t ever want to be poor, Jimmy and that’s always been my worst nightmare.” 

“But what we talked about earlier. After breakfast. The investment I’ve made with your money will at least double it in the next six months. If not triple. It’s a surefire scheme. Think of that. You want retirement money. In six months you’ll be able to retire and live like a queen in the sun and never have to work again.” 

Gloria’s voice dropped to a husky purr. She put her hand on his, “With you, Jimmy?” she said. “Retire to the sun with you? We’ve always talked about it, haven’t we?” 

“Sure, Gloria. That’s what we’ll do. I’d like that.” But even though Gloria smiled and looked into Jimmy’s eyes she was still not convinced there was sincerity there. 

She let her glance linger a bit then in a flash changed her tone back to the businesswoman, “Right, enough of that. What about the tins and any other stuff?” she said. 

“I’ve a good selection of the fruit tins with no labels. They’re all the same price as last time. My contact can also get meat and vegetables now. I’ve a few on board for you to try. From Derek’s point of view they’ll be a bit trickier but they should be good for stews. Open a can, does it matter what’s inside? Beef, lamb or pork, it just becomes a different stew. The same with the veg although they should keep a few days once opened. What do you think? They should half your meat bill.” 

“Is opening a load of tins necessary to sort out the meat from the fruit.” 

“The fruit tins are slightly bigger so there’ll be no problem there. The only problem will be with what’s inside. Dinners will be a kind of potluck. Then there’s the usual flour decanted into the plain bags. Marmalade tins. All the usual.” 

“Sounds really good, Jimmy” 

“They're in the van. It’s parked out front. I'll unload it later.” 

“Do you have to get back today? Or can you stay for a few more days.” 

“I was intending to go soon but I can stay a while longer. What about I stay until next week. I’ve a few things to do but they won’t take up too much time. Maybe I’ll go back Tuesday or Wednesday. That would give us nearly a week together. Besides, I’m curious to see how you get on with Dee.” 

“Thank you, Jimmy,” said Gloria, “Well, I’ve things to do. Guests will be arriving soon and I need to be ready.”  

Leaving the sitting room she noticed the front door was open. That bloody trollop of mine can’t even shut a door when she goes out. She went and pulled it shut, turned then suddenly stopped. Why have I not noticed that before… maybe because it was not relevant. So that’s why she’s always cleaning the stained glass. That mirror she put up. From here you can see the understairs cupboard. From here you could see the safe when the cupboard door was open and the combination and the contents of the safe. So, that’s how she knew the combination. The cow’s been spying on me. Well just wait until she’s back then I’ll… I’ll…